A Trailer Has Been Released for a Reimagined, Dramatic Version of ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’
If you like to peruse YouTube when you’re bored or nostalgic, then you’ve probably come across a few fan-made trailers that are slick enough to make you believe your favorite characters are really coming to the big screen.
Some people put a lot of time into creating “fake” movie trailers to pump you up for sequels and live-action reboots (Thundercats is a good example). Recently, there’s been some hype surrounding a fan-made trailer for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and it doesn’t look like your auntie’s favorite sitcom.
This creation comes from Morgan Cooper, a film director who decided to share his vision on social media with the caption, “Like most 90’s kids, I grew up watching Fresh Prince. Even as a kid, I always thought there was more to the story. . .so I decided to make this.”
It’s 2019 and this reimagined version does not have the comedic stylings of Will Smith’s character of Will. Titled Bel-Air, this take turns the original into a real-life movie drama where Will gets caught up with some guys “who were up to no good,” and in trouble with guns and the police for protecting himself. It’s kinda heavy.
The opening sequence shows Will being lectured by his mom about why it’s best for him to go to Bel-Air, but he is not in agreement. Compared to the Fresh Prince that we know, Will’s sendoff to California was no joke.
Dressed in a t-shirt with a message about hip hop artist Meek Mill, he arrives at Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv’s house, and 2019 Will learns that his uncle is not taking any ____. While cousins Ashley and Hilary are chill and Aunt Viv is ever supportive, Carlton is a snobby elitist who does not welcome him.
Adjusting to his new life is made a bit easier through his friendship with Jazz, a character whom fans will recognize from the first incarnation of the show. Back in the ’90s, he was played by Will Smith’s real-life music partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff. Their classic handshakes make several appearances in the trailer.
Shot in Kansas City where Cooper is from, the viral trailer has fans begging Netflix or some other platform to pick it up and turn it into an actual movie. Within a few days, Cooper jumped on social media to share that the response was overwhelming, and also confirmed that Will Smith himself had seen it.
Tatyana Ali, who played Ashley Banks, even gave it her stamp of approval on Twitter. With the whirlwind of positive attention that the trailer’s received, Cooper is grateful but like the rest of the world, is unsure if this will ever make it to the big screen.
To see Will sit on his throne as the prince of Bel-Air, click on the hot trailer below. Since a ‘90s revival is in effect with music, fashion, and hair, why wouldn’t we be seeing the same thing with TV shows and movies?
Were you a fan of Will Smith’s Fresh Prince? Do you love this trailer and are you game to see this turned into something bigger?